Can marking and control device



April 29, 1958 M. J. wlLcox l CAN MARKING AND CONTROL DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 18, 1957 NVENTOR. MARTIN J WiLCOX ATTORNEY April' 29, 1958 M. .1. wlLox CAN MARKING AND CONTROL DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 18, 1957 INVENTOR. MARTIN J- WlLC OX ATTORNEY United rates Patent CAN lvliARllNlG AND CONTRQL ADEVICE Martin l. Wilcox, Portland, Greg.

Application February 18, 1957, Serial No. 640,890

6 Claims. (Cl. 10b-4) T he present invention relates to the automatic marking of empty cans as they are delivered in more or less rapid succession from a carrier or other suitable conveying means, and relates particularly to the marking of the cylindrical surfaces of the cans as they are being delivered to operators in a Cannery in order to be filled by the operators, and this application is a continuation-impart of the pending application Serial No. 579,609, filed under date of April 20, 1956, and entitled, Marking and Counting Contro-l Assembly.

llt is the practice in commercial canneries to place identifying marking on the empty cans as they are delivered to each individual operator in order that when there is any question concerning a lled can, as for example, when a iilled can does not meet established requirements, the operator by whom the can was lled can be identified.

ln the device of the above mentioned previously iiled application, the identifying mark is stamped in ink on the cylindrical wall of the can while the can is passing down to the work table of the operator. However, when the cans are being stamped in ink in quick succession, especially when such stamping takes place on the cylindrical surfaces of the cans, not only is the stamping of such moving cylindrical surfaces quite likely to be imperfect or illegible, but when each can is handled manually by the operator immediately after the stamping it has been found that there is considerable probability that a portion,

y if not all, of the marking will be inadvertently rubbed olf or will. be blurred as a result of the handling of the can inasmuch as insuiicient time elapses for the ink of the marking to dry.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved can marking device in which such identifying marking, instead of being stamped in ink on the can, will be embossed or pressed into the can metal.

A related object of this invention is to provide an improved can marking device in which the desired embossed marking will automatically be placed on the cylindrical wall of the can while the can is being delivered to the operator.

A further object is to provide such a device in which this embossed marking will not only take place automatically but will also be done so quickly that there will be no appreciable delay in the travel of the can to the operators table and so that the cans can be marked as rapidly as they can be delivered by the conveyor.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a can-embossing device in which the cans will automatically be counted as they are marked or embossed.

From the following brief description the manner in which these objects and other incidental advantages of the invention are attained will be readily understood, and in the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l is a sectional elevation of the device taken on a line indicated at ll-l in Figure 4 and illustrating a can in the device just prior to being marked and counted;

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Figure 2 is a similar sectional elevation showing the same can a moment later during the actual marking;

Figure 3 is a horizontal section on the line indicated at 3 3 in Figure 4, this section being taken at the momen-t of the marking of the can and thus when the can is in the position shown in Figure 2;

Figurf` l a sectional elevationcorresponding to line -l-tl of Figure 3 (and also to line 4-4 of Figure 6);

Figure 5 is an elevation of the device, drawn to a much smaller scale, taken from the left of Figures 1, 2 and 3; and

Figure 6 is a corresponding top plan View, drawn to the same scale as Figure 5, illustrating a can passing down the chute into the device.

A chute which leads downwardly from a can conveyor (the conveyor not being shown), is formed by the guide rails l1, these rails being so arranged and spaced that they form a chute of the proper size for the particular cans being used. ln the figures, the cans are indicated by the letter C. The chute leads down through the device and is assumed to terminate at the operators table so that the cans will be deposited on the table of the operator as they pass in succession down through the device.

A closed housing lll the shape of which is shown best in Figure 3, is mounted on the chute and has openings in the top and bottom walls, corresponding to the cross sectional area of the chute, through which openings the chute passes.

A star wheel l2 (Figures l to 4 inclusive) is secured on a horizontal, rotatable shaft 13 (Figures 3 and 4). This shaft 13 is supported in and constitutes the actuating shaft for a numbering machine i4, of standard and wellknown construction, which is secured on the outside of the housing lll. The star wheel 12 and the shaft :t3 are so located that the star wheel will be engaged by each can C in turn as the can passes down the chute (see Figures l and Z) and the star wheel 12 will be rotated approximately 90 by each can in turn. The numbering machine 14 is so arranged that each quarter-turn of its actuating shaft 13 will cause one unit to be added to the number total indicated by the numbering machine.

In order to limit the rotation of the star wheel 12 to 90 each time lthe star wheel is turned by a can passing down the chute, and also to prevent any possible turning of the wheel by other means (such, for example, as by the insertion of a wire hook up into the housing 10 from below), in an attempt to increase the total count being recorded by the numbering machine 14, a control latch 15 (Figures l, 2 and 4) is pivotally mounted in the housing 1li above the star wheel l2 on a support shaft 16. The pivotal swing of this latch l5 is restricted by a stationary pin l?, secured in the housing wall, which engages a slot i8 in the latch. A spring 19, having one end attached to the housing wall and the other end attached to an arm 2d secured to the top of the latch 15, holds the latch normally in the position illustrated in Figures l. and 2 but enables the latch to be swung slightly in a clockwise direction, as viewed in these figures, when contacted by a can moving down the chute into the housing 10.

Each of the four arms of the star wheel 12 carries a pin 2l adapted to engage the bottom of the lat'chlS. The bottom end of the latch 15 has an edge portion 22 which is so arranged as to engage the pin 21 on the adjacent arm of the star wheel when the latch is in the normal position shown in Figure l and thus restrict the rotation of the star wheel. latch l5 slopes upwardly obliquely in the direction opposed to that in which the star wheel 12'normally rotates, and consequently, as illustrated in Figure l, the latch i5 in normal position locks the star Wheel against further clockwise rotation. However, a thrust against the latch 15 and against the Vforce of spring 19, causing This edge portion 22 on they the latch to swing slightly to the left, as viewed in Figure 1, results in releasing the star wheel momentarily from the latch. As apparent from Figures l and 2, the shape and location of the latch are such that the latch will be engaged by each downwardly moving can, and, as a result of such engagement, the latch will be moved momentarily to unlocking position just before the can encounters the star wheel itself.

A solenoid 23 (see Figures 3 and 4) is firmly secured inside the housing 10 in the location shown in these gures. A plunger rod 24, operated by the solenoid, has a bracket arm 25 which is rigidly connected to a sleeve 26 slidable on a stationary rod 27. The rod 27 has one end secured on a vertical plate 28, shaped as shown in Figure 4, which plate in turn is secured along its bottom edge to a portion of the bottom wall of the housing 10 in the relative position shown in Figures 3 and 4.

A spring 29 (Figure 3), having one end secured to the bracket arm 25 and the other end attached to the plate 28, normally holds the plunger rod 24, bracket arm 25 and sleeve 26 in the outer or full line position shown in Figure 3 but permits these to be moved to the broken line position when the actuation of the solenoid pulls the plunger rod inwardly.

A lever arm 30 (Figure 3), supported on a pivotal mounting 31 for swinging in a substantially horizontal plane, has one end connected by a link 32 to the outer end of the plunger rod 24. One of a pair of cooperating embossing die members 33 is mounted on the free end of the lever arm 30. The other cooperating die member 34 is secured on a rigidly mounted support 35 in such position as to be contacted by the member 33 when the lever arm 30 is swung (in counterclockwise direction) by the actuation of the solenoid 23 and the resulting movement of the plunger rod 24. The two die members 33 and 34 under such condition cooperate to emboss or press a mark into the wall of a can if the can wall has the outside face positioned against the stationary member 34 while the other member 33 is forcibly impinged against the inside face of the can by the rapid swing of the lever arm 30. Thus the stationary member 34 and its rigid support 35 act as the anvil against which the wall of a can rests during the instant in which the cooperating die members 33 and 34 cause the can wall to be deformed by the pressing of the desired marking on the can. Preferably the cooperating die members 33 and 34 will be removably mounted on the lever arm 39 and anvil support 35 respectively by suitable means (not shown) so that these die members can be changed to provide a dilferent marking whenever desired. The embossing of the marking on the can will of course take place either outwardly or inwardly with respect to the can wall, depending upon which of the die members 33 and 34 is the male die and which is the female die.

The actuation of the solenoid 23 is controlled by a relay switch 36 (Figure 4) mounted on the plate 28 and operated by a slidable element 37. An arm 38 is pivotally mounted on the sleeve 26 for a limited upward swing from the normal horizontal position shown in Figure 4. A spring 39, carried by the arm 3S, contacts the relay switch element 37 and consequently a slight upwardV swing of the arm 38 will cause the relay switch to be closed which in turn closes the circuit to the solenoid 23.

It will be noted from Figures 3 and 4 that the arm 38 is of such length that the outer end extends into the path of the star wheel 12. Thus partial rotation of the star wheel (caused by a can coming into engagement with the star wheel) results in momentarily raising the arrn 38, which in turn causes the relay switch 36 to be closed and the solenoid 23 to be actuated. Since the actuation of the solenoid causes the plunger rod 24, and therewith the sleeve 26, to be moved to the right (as viewed in Figure 4), the arm 38- is also moved suirequired. Of course the male die similarly could ciently to the right to be withdrawn momentarily out of the path of the star wheel 12. At the same time this movement of the arm 38 (to the right in Figure 4) causes a lug 40 on the arm to strike against Ia spring member 41 attached to one arm of a bell crank lever 42. The bell crank lever, pivotally mounted at 43 on the plate 28, has its other arm 44 so arranged as to be in Contact with the top of the control element 37 of the relay switch 36. Thus the movement of the `arm 38, as a result of the actuation of solenoid 23, immediately operates to open the relay switch 36 and to deactivate the solenoid 23. In order to make sure that the downward movement of the can and the rotation of the star wheel will be accurately synchronized with the swing of the lever arm 3G, a stationary lug 46 (Figure 4) normally restricts the upward movement of the arm 3S (and thus the rotation of the star wheel) until actuation of the solenoid has started to move arm 38 to the right (as viewed in Figure 4). A suitable stop, indicated at 38', is provided to prevent the arm 38 from dropping down below the substantially horizontal norm-al position shown in Figure 4.

The manner in which the device operates as a whole will now be apparent from the foregoing description of the manner in which the various individual members of the device function. As a can drops down the chute it lirst encounters the latch 15, moving it suiciently to release the star wheel 12 momentarily. The can then encounters the star wheel 12 and gives it a partial rotation (Figure 2). This partial rotation of the star wheel raises the arm 38 (Figures 3 and 4) and causes the solenoid 23 to be actuated through the medium of the relay switch 36. Actuation of the solenoid causes the lever arm 30 to be moved quickly and forcibly from the full line position of Figure 3 to the broken line position, causing the die member 33 to strike the inside of the wall of the can while the c-an wall is in contact with the other cooperating die member 34 on the stationary anvil support. Then the deactivating of the solenoid immediately causes the lever arm 30 to be swung back to original position out of the path of the downwardly moving can by means of spring 29. The can continues downwardly to the operators table while the star wheel 12 is again held against further rotation by contact with the latch 15. During this operation the resulting rotation of the star wheel has caused one unit to be added to the number total displayed by the numbering machine 14.

This entire operation is of course repeated with each successive can, and, since only a moment is required for completion of the entire operation, the cans can be delivered in rapid succession without any delay being caused by the operation of the device.

Instead of employing a pair of embossing dies, one on the anvil support 35 and one on the lever arm 30, as previously described, it has been found entirely satisfactory to mount a male die element on one of these members and mount a cooperating block element of semi resilient material on the other member. For example, satisfactory results are obtained by removably mounting the male die on the anvil support 35 and mounting a cooperating block of plastic on the arm 30. This arrangement has the advantage of enabling any change in the marking to be made easily and quickly merely by changing the die on the anvil support, no change of the cooperating block element on the lever arm 30 being be removably mounted on the lever arm 30 and the plastic block secured on the anvil support.

Various minor other modications could be made in the device within the scope of the invention.

I claim:

l. In a can marking and control device, a downwardlysloping chute, a star wheel extending part way into said chute and so arranged and positioned as to be engaged and partially rotated by a can passing down said chute, a numbering machine operated solely by the rotation of said wheel, and a locking latch for said wheel preventing the rotation of said wheel and therewith the operation of said numbering machine when said latch is in normal wheel-engaging position, said latch located above said wheel and a portion of said latch extending into said chute and so positioned as to be engaged and temporarily moved to releasing position by a can passing down said chute.

2. In a can marking device of the character described, a chute, a star wheel extending part way into said chute and so arranged and positioned as to be engaged and partially rotated by a can passing along said chute, means controlling the rotation of said wheel, said means so -arranged as to be momentarily released by the movement of a can passing along said chute to said wheel, and, when so released, enabling partial rotation to be imparted to said wheel, electrically-operated can-marking means in said chute, and a switch assembly operated by the rotation of said wheel controlling the actuation of said can mark ing means.

3. In a can marking device, a downwardly-sloping chute, a star wheel extending part way into said chute and so arranged and positioned as to be engaged and partially rotated by a can passing down said chute, means controlling the rotation of said wheel, said means so arranged as to be momentarily released by the movement of a can passing down said chute to said wheel, and, when so released, enabling partial rotation to be im parted to said wheel, electrically-operated can marking means in said chute, and a switch assembly operated by the rotation of said wheel controlling the actuation of said can marking means, said can marking means including a lever arm mounted to swing into the open end of a can and against the inside wall of the can, a stationary mounting so positioned as to be contacted by the outside wall surface of the can in said chute and to serve as the anvil member for said lever arm, and cooperating marking elements mounted on said anvil member and said lever arm respectively.

4. In a can marking device, a downwardly-sloping chute, a star wheel extending part way into said chute and so arranged and positioned as to be engaged and partially rotated by a can passing down said chute, means controlling the rotation of said wheel, said means so arranged as to be momentarily released by the movement of a can passing down said chute to said wheel and, when so released, enabling partial rotation to be imparted to said wheel, electrically-operated can marking means in said chute, said can marking means including a lever arm mounted to swing into the open end of a can against the inside wall of the can, a stationary mounting so positioned as to be contacted by the outside wall surface of the can in said chute and to serve as the anvil member for said lever arm, cooperating marking elements on said anvil member and said lever arm respectively, a solenoid operating said lever arm, a relay switch in the circuit of said solenoid, a control for said switch, and an actuating member in said control engageable by said wheel and moved into actuating position whenever rotation is imparted to said wheel by a can in said chute.

5. In a can marking and control device of the character described, a downwardly-sloping chute, a star wheel extending part way into said chute and so arranged and positioned as to be engaged and partially rotated by a can passing down said chute, a numbering machine operated solely by the rotation of said wheel, a locking latch for said wheel preventing the rotation of said wheel and therewith the operation of said numbering machine when said latch is in normal wheel-engaging position, said latch located above said wheel and a portion of said latch extending into said chute and so positioned as to be engaged and temporarily moved to releasing position by a can passing down said chute, electrically-operated can marking means in said chute, and a switch assembly operated by the rotation of said wheel controlling the actuation of said can marking means, said can marking means including a lever arm mounted to swing into the open end of a can against the inside wall of the can, a stationary mounting so positioned as to be contacted by the outside wall surface of the can in said chute and to serve as the anvil member for said lever arm, and cooperating marking elements on said anvil member and on said lever arm respectively.

6. A can marking and control device including a downwardly-sloping chute, a housing mounted along said chute, a star wheel in said housing extending part way into said chute and so arranged and positioned as to be engaged and partially rotated by a can passing down said chute, a shaft for said wheel, said wheel secured to said shaft, a numbering machine operated solely by the rotation of said shaft, a locking latch for said wheel preventing the rotation of said wheel and therewith the operation of said numbering machine when said latch is in normal wheel-engaging position, said latch located above said wheel and a portion of said latch extending into said chute and so positioned as to be engaged and temporarily moved to releasing position by a can passing down said chute, can marking means in said chute, a lever arm in said can marking means, said lever arm mounted to swing into the open end of a can against the inside wall of the can, a stationary mounting so positioned as to be con tacted by the outside wall surface of the can in said chute and to serve as the anvil member for said lever arm, cooperating marking elements on said anvil member and on said lever arm respectively, electrically-operated means operating said lever arm, a control in said electricallyoperated means, and an actuating member in said control engageable by said wheel and moved into actuating position whenever rotation is imparted to said wheel by a can in said chute.

No references cited. 

